The Los Angeles Dodgers have three of the most talented players to come out of Japan in Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, and Roki Sasaki.
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Throughout the offseason, Ohtani and Sasaki largely dominated the headlines in Los Angeles. When will Ohtani make his pitching debut with the Dodgers? Would the defending champions land the Japanese fireballer?
There was so much anticipation for both stars to take the mound in 2025, and in the background, Yamamoto quietly worked this spring.
The 26-year-old proved in Game 1 of the Tokyo Series that he was not the same pitcher from his rookie season in L.A. In Japan, Yamamoto showed poised. He showed 98 mph velocity. He showed improved pitching mechanics.
Yamamoto finished his Opening Day start allowed just one run and three hits over five innings.
It’s becoming increasingly clear that out of the Dodgers’ trio of Japanese stars, Yamamoto could be the one to win a Cy Young Award first. Manager Dave Roberts certainly thinks so.
“I think that last year to this year, the confidence, the conviction that he has in throwing the fastball in the strike zone is much, much more convicted.” Roberts said. “And so you saw that tonight. And so if he can do that, obviously (with) health, I see no reason why he won’t be in the Cy Young conversation this season.”
The potential is certainly there, but the biggest question mark surrounding Yamamoto is his health. In 2024, he missed almost three months of the season with a shoulder injury.
In order to be in the Cy Young conversation, Yamamoto will need to stay relatively healthy. While he may not have the physical frame of Ohtani or Sasaki, Yamamato could be the standout pitcher of the trio in 2025.
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Photo Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images
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